Avelo offering flights from ILM to Tampa, West Palm Beach

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Wilmington International Airport will soon have two more non-stop flights to Florida.

Avelo Airlines announced Thursday morning that it was adding routes to West Palm Beach and Tampa.

Flights to West Palm Beach begin on June 22, flights to Tampa will start on June 23.

The airline also announced they are increasing their flights to Orlando from two a week, to four a week.

“When we started at ILM less than a year ago, we had 3 routes, we will be up to six nonstop routes,” said Courtney Goff with Avelo Airlines. “As we see people continue to use these flights we will continue to add more.”

ILM says in 2020 there were only eight nonstop flights from Wilmington, there are now 16 nonstop flights.

With many destinations to explore, some could wonder how these routes were chosen? Airport director Jeff Bourk says there’s two reasons as to why.

“Well, it’s in demand. Local residents here wanted to be able to access that market, but also people from down there are coming here as well to visit the market. Particularly in the summer months, get out of that Florida heat,” Bourk explained.

Bourk was also able to add how this plays a part in their planned growth for the next 5 years, as we covered earlier this year.

“Our 5-year capital plan, the authorities approved $165 million in investment, and the most important thing about that, is that not one dollar of that is local taxpayer money. It’s coming from the local, state and federal aviation system, and airport revenues. So, we’re really excited to invest in this airport so it can support the growth that our airlines are bringing,” said Bourk.

Tickets to the new destinations will cost less than $100 roundtrip and are available online now.